Pepper Design Blog

{Vintage Nesting} Paper Flower Chandelier Tutorial

One of my favorite diy projects for this shower (Part 1 & Part 2) included handmade flowers and a big white chandelier to hang over the main table. Each flower was easy to assemble and when scattered about the table, dessert buffet or attached to long, gold ribbon they gave a vintage, rustic vibe.

The chandelier was a collage of handmade flowers hanging just below and inside the large white lampshade (a thrift store find at just $1) in place of a light bulb. I used the same gold ribbon to balance the shade above the table and also to hang the flower cluster from the inside of the chandelier.

In addition to hanging the flowers from up above, small clusters were grouped on the tables and elsewhere around the party.

Making the flowers was simple. I collected specialty paper from stores such as Paper Source, Michaels and even my local Artists & Craftsman. I especially love the large rolls of handmade paper for their texture and variety.

For complete diy instructions and more step-by-step pictures, follow the jump. Read more »

Part 1: A {Vintage Nesting} Baby Shower

Last week I had the honor of co-hosting a baby shower for a friend expecting a little boy! Friends and I have spent the past couple of months planning and dreaming up a vintage setting that would fit both mother and baby. (Adorable invites above created by co-host Lauren of L&Co just for the occasion.)

Since the shower was later in the evening, I took advantage of the daylight earlier in the day for a bit of ‘staging’ prior to the big event.

A friend of mine has the perfect backyard for such a rustic, vintage vibe. I adore her outdoor gazebo and used it as the central focus point:

Details include a handmade chandelier, paper flowers, no-sew table runners and napkins (all from fabric remnants), thrift store tea sets and lots and lots of candles!

Every little piece of this baby shower was handmade and I’ll feature tutorials in the coming weeks on how to replicate each of the projects.

Miniature birds nests and Nestle candied eggs became the perfect table setting focus. I found vintage glass bowls to hold centerpieces full of wildflowers (ranunculus, daisies, poms and red hypericum – or coffee beans) to tie in the rustic look.

The dark orange flowers pop against the teal paisley print of the table runners!

Since the shower was an evening festivity, we set up two dessert and coffee tables to serve as the gathering location for delicious treats and hot drinks (more on the crock pot coffee bar tomorrow!).

Friends helped me to stock the dessert buffet full of delicious goodies such as homemade biscotti, key lime bars, cajun brownies, muffins, madeleine cookies and mini ‘birds nest cupcakes’. More pictures to come.

We made round accordion rosettes out of big sheets of handmade paper and hung them at varied heights behind manzanita branches from our local San Diego area. I used this tutorial for diy white cake stands from thrift store finds (more details to come!) and cut apart an old book to help with vintage decor.

We had a wonderful evening full of honoring our mama-to-be, great conversation, a silly shower game and presents!

I’ve been so busy these past two weeks preparing for this shower and I’m so excited to share my hard work with all of you! I hope you enjoyed, and I can’t wait to share Part 2 tomorrow (including a cost breakdown to show how easy and affordable a diy shower can be). Happy Monday!

A Buzzing Bumble Bee First Birthday!

A ‘bee’autiful first birthday party by a crafty mom (who happens to own Scissors.Paper.Cake) to which I can say I.Love.Much. How wonderful is this party for her daughter Scarlett’s first birthday?

From the adorable dessert buffet (and backdrop!) to the hand-designed invites and labels, I can’t decide which detail I like best. The color is wonderful though, isn’t it? I love to see spring parties in such a light and happy shade! Many more adorable pictures after the jump. Read more »